End Game – Chapter eight

Tabitha's Memories

Once leaving Thane's parents' home, I wander along the sea climbing a mountainous outcropping overlooking the ocean. I stop at a hole in the rock, which leads straight down to a cave. This cave I know well. I found it exploring seven years ago. Relaxing, letting my biotics flow through and around me, I step into the nothingness of the hole. Controlling my descent through the darkness with my biotics, I relax further. The cave is beautiful with natural luminance from the lichen growing on the cave walls.

Landing softly, I tread carefully to one side locating a compact barrier shield generator tucked into a rock cropping. Amazingly the generator is fully charged and operational as I turn it on activating a barrier across the mouth of the cave. This allows me to meditate without the prospect of drowning from high tide surges from the sea. Reaching into a cargo pocket on my left side, I pull out a luminance stick shaking it to activate the inner contents placing it on the ground in front of me. The soft glow of the light stick causes prisms of color off the angles of the crystals protruding from the walls and ceiling of the sea cave.

Taking off my boots and socks, I wash them in the pool of water alongside one side of the cave. I remove my hoodie laying it over my boots and socks sitting down in a cross legged lotus position. Steepling my fingers together in front of my chest, lowering my head to rest on the tops of my hands, and closing my eyes, I begin to meditate. Focusing on my breathing, I let my body relax meditating and praying on the day's events.

Thane's Memories

Leaving my parent's place with no focus, my mind awash with conflicting thoughts and emotions, I wander along the sea shore till I reach a mountainous outcropping overlooking the ocean. "The top of this rise will be an excellent place to meditate," I think to myself. Upon reaching the summit, I notice a faint light exiting a hole. Approaching steathfully, I peer down hearing the sounds of waves crashing, "Hello, is anyone down there? Do you need assistance?" I yell down in the Universal Tongue that all sentient races speak.

A familiar voice echoes up, "Thane, is that you?"

I reply, "Yes, how did you find yourself in the sea cave, Tabitha?"

"Step into the middle of the hole and I will show you, trust me, Kadar. I will let no harm befall you."

Knowing my Siha, I step off the lip of the hole finding myself slowing descending, blue-green aura of biotics encompassing me in a warm glow. The rocky vent opened up revealing a cave cascading in colors from crystals protruding from the walls and ceiling. The sound of waves crashing was from the rising tide hitting a barrier shield erected over one end of the cave.

Tabitha is sitting cross legged on the floor of the cave. I feel the blood coursing through my body as I gaze upon her natural beauty. She has removed her hoodie exposing arms, only wearing a tank top. I see she has bands on each arm on the upper and lower parts; the bands each having four small razor sharp throwing knives. Next to her right side she has a pistol, a type I am not familiar with and in front of her open is an Earth Bible. Her voice steady as she pats the ground in front of her smiling at me, "You have found my private mediation place. I found it seven years ago when I was here last. It is beautiful, isn't it?"

I lower myself into a lotus position opposite her, taking the pack off my back, placing it between the two of us, "Mom sent some food for you and fruit juice. She said you probably have not eaten all day."

Tabitha smiling, laughing softly replied, "Your mother is very perceptive. No, I have not eaten and being a biotic, I should."

I respond back light heartedly, "Yes, my mother is very perceptive. What have you been doing for the last seven years? Soon after I married Irikah, I lost contact with you."

Sadness fills Tabitha's eyes as she looks at the ground not meeting my gaze, "From the age of ten to fourteen, I studied under the care of an assassins' guild, which had been around for several thousand years on Earth. I learned how to analyze any situation in moments from escape routes to weaknesses of individuals to many other things I cannot remember at the moment. When I turned fourteen, I pasted my final testing to receive my marking, my guide title." Tabitha turned her forearms toward me showing a pattern on each inside forearm branded or burned into her skin.

The symbol resembled an ancient medical instrument open ended in a triangle configuration with ancient writing I could not decipher. The symbol also had four eyes in the inside of the triangle configuration resembling an alien I was unfamiliar with. "What does the writing say? I do not understand it?"

Tabitha stated in a monotone voice, "The script is Prothean and the symbols read, "Faith, Hope, and Victory." The assassins' guide stated that my title would be Protector or Guardian. I guess that goes along with "Siha," huh." She looks up at me, such confusion in her eyes as emotions wash across her features, "Prothean, really…really! They disappeared over 50,000 years ago. What do I have to do with an ancient extinct race?" She gestures with one hand at the circle of script that rings from collarbone to collarbone, "See this, remember this appeared after you claimed me as your own on Eden Prime after I rescued you from the Blood Pack mercs. This is Prothean script stating, 'Two have become one: mind, body, spirit, and soul'."

She jumped up pacing back and forth, agitation in her movements and voice, "Two have become one," she laughed sardonically, "That's a joke. You're married with a kid." She stopped pacing turning to face me, "Please forgive me, Kadar. My emotions are overwhelming me. I cannot control them. I apologize for my weakness." Her eyes look so haunted, such despair in her voice. Without thought, I move rapidly to her side taking her into my arms.

Tabitha's Memories

It seems from a great distance, I hear Thane's voice. I use my biotics to help Thane descend into the cave. The time I spent in meditation is for naught as soon as I see him and smell his natural scent of leather and cinnamon and clove. My heart skips a beat as I try and control my breathing. I can tell by his expression he is concerned about me and what I have been doing for the past seven years. I am confused by this because I tried to contact him to no avail with my communications denied over the years. For all these years I thought he did not care. My emotions showed as I talked with him.

When he pulled me into his arms, I started shaking, clinging desperately to him, tears flooding my eyes running down my cheeks. I felt his left hand gently rubbing my back in a circular motion while his right hand caressed my scalp, his voice soft and soothing, "Siha, what is wrong? Let me help you." He lowered himself to the ground next to one of the cave walls bringing me with him cradling me against his chest. I stopped shaking and sobbing laying my head against his chest listening to his steady heart beat. I pulled back to see concern etched across his features, "You care for me?" I question speaking in Drell.

He feather kissed my forehead, "I have always cared for you, Siha," placing a hand under my chin to lift it to look at him directly, "What is wrong? Tell me." When I do not respond, he smiles gently, affection clearing showing in his eyes, "Tabitha, I am a very patient Drell. I can wait for as long as it takes." Removing his hand from my chin and tapping the end of my nose.

Tears fill my eyes again as I lower my head against his chest, my voice small and broken, "I have failed you, Thane, my Kadar. I have failed, 'One who is patient and longsuffering'. I have failed everyone."

Thane continues to rub my back as he asks softly, "How have you failed everyone? How have you failed me?"

Between sobs I answer, "I cannot control my emotions or my biotic abilities. The humans don't want me. The Turians don't want me. The Asari don't want me. The Salarians don't want me. Once I received my mark at the guild, the guild masters placed me into the Alliance. My paperwork was changed to show I was older by four years. I was accepted into the Earth Alliance at age 14 and accepted into the N7, Special Forces Training at age 15. During my time with the guild, I had been taught to not rely on my biotic powers, but focus on normal training. I perfected stealth, close range assassin skills, long range assassin skills, various marital art forms, etc. During my Alliance and N7 training, I only used biotics in emergency situations. Before I graduated from N7 training, it was discovered I was four years younger than on my paperwork. I still completed my training and graduated, but the Alliance could not officially do anything with me till I was of proper age. Someone in the Alliance spoke to someone in the Citadel Council and I was unofficially interned to the Council representative militaries for additional training. During my training with the Turians, my true biotic abilities came forth. The Turians could not handle my biotic abilities so I was sent to the Asari. The Asari could not explain how a human, and one so young, could have such advanced biotics. They trained me the best they knew and I was sent to the Salarians for the testing of my biotic abilities. I was poked, prodded, probed, and given so many tests, I lost count. The conclusion the Salarians reached, they would not believe. Their tests showed I was a hybrid mix of human and Prothean DNA and RNA. I was confused. The guild masters taught me to control my powers, but the alien races taught me to exploit my powers."

I pulled out of Thane's arms standing in one fluid movement as he did the same. I started pacing back and forth in front of him as I continued to speak, "For the past year I have been doing undercover work for the Citadel Counsel and STG. I blend into most situations quite easily as a human teenager. The last assignment I was on involved Saren Artemius."

Thane raised his eye ridges, "The Turian Spectre, Saren Artemius?"

I faced Thane, "The same human hating Turian Spectre with a Machiavellian attitude. I was working on this undercover assignment with Nihlus, Saren's apprentice. Saren got it into his head that Nihlus and I were having sex." I gestured wide with my hands as I continued, emotion coming out in my voice, "Saren confronted me about Nihlus. I told him Nihlus and I were just friends, nothing more. He started ranting that I thought I was too good for Turians. He had some Turian and Batarian mercs with him, which encircled me. He came after me stating he would show me how much of a human whore I was. He grabbed me and I flashbacked to when the Cerberus agents raped me. His talons clawed across my back digging into my shoulders. My biotics flared and he sailed through the air hitting the foundation of a building collapsing. I did not know if I had killed him or not. The other Turians and Batarians advanced on me pulling weapons. All I felt was biotic power exploding from me blacking out. I came back to consciousness at the local clinic. C-SEC Officer Bailey told me I had killed all the Turian and Batarian mercs and Saren was in the hospital in stable condition after surgery from injuries sustained with me."

I started pacing again, "I was kept isolated with no visitors and no communication till some witnesses came forward to collaborate my story. The witnesses remained unanimous because they were afraid of Saren. Because of that, Saren had no charges brought against him and was set free. Valern is the one who sent me here. He believed me and warned Saren to leave me alone. Valern warned Saren that I had powerful connections who could kill him and make it look like an accident." I stopped to look at Thane again, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "What Valern said was crap. No one cares about me. Hurt and anger flowed from my eyes as I knifed my hand pointing it at Thane, "I thought you cared about me. I thought we were friends. Boy, was I wrong. During my time at the guild, I was not allowed to communicate with anyone, but I accepted that as no one did. Once I was done with the guild training, I sent an email to the Hanar training facility and received a reply that you were married and had a son. I was so happy for you. I was given an address from 'One who is patient and longsuffering". I sent you emails and letters letting you know what I had been doing. I never received one reply back, but had my emails and letters returned."

I turned my back on Thane, hunching my shoulders, voice defeated, sorrow etching every word, "I tried to reason that you had a new life with a wife and son. I needed to move on in my life, also. I tried…I tried so hard. I just keep messing everything up. You should have left me on Eden Prime. I don't understand what is wrong with me. I cannot think around you. I see you and I cannot stop myself from grinning and my palms get sweaty. I smell your scent and an ache centers between my legs. You look at me and my heart skips a beat, blood races through my veins, and a warmth spreads throughout my body. Why is this happening to me?"

Thane's Memories

As I take her into my arms, I feel an overwhelming need to protect her and comfort her. I rub her back, caress her scalp and hum inaudibly using the same technique used on Drell to relax them. In time, Tabitha relaxes telling me of her time at the Assassin's Guild on Earth. I was as perplexed as she about the Prothean symbols on her arms and around her neck. The writing in Prothean from collar bone to collar bone was from the Drell Prayer Book for 'bond mates'. Pride filled my heart that 'my Siha' was the youngest to graduate N7 training. I did not understand why she did not contact me. I felt hurt till she told me that she had tried to contact me and all her communications were returned.

Fury filled my heart, but I let none of my emotions show as Tabitha told me what Saren had told her and tried to do to her. I did not want to scare her if I showed my true emotions. I wanted to rip Saren limb from limb. I wanted to inflict as much pain on him for the pain he inflected on my Siha. As Tabitha turned her back on me, I heard the sorrow in her voice, defect in her stance. I closed my eyes trying to bring my emotions under control. As soon as I saw Tabitha and smelled her scent, I instantly came out of my battle sleep. I knew I needed to comfort her. Let her know I stilled care. I knew if I touched her, I was lost. I would claim her as my own and bond with her. I went to turn away when I heard her voice break. Stepping forward pressing myself against her back wrapping my arms around her, my voice deep and low rumbling from my chest, "Siha, I never received any emails or letters from you. Since I never heard from you, I thought you had moved on with your life the same as I, but there has not been a day which has not gone by where I have not prayed for you and/or thought of you."

Tabitha turned in my arms looking at me. I dropped all barriers letting her see my true emotions. Tears glistened in her eyes, her voice full of hope, "You still care?"

My voice throaty from emotion, "Very much," as my right hand splays across her upper back, left hand entangling in her hair holding her still as my head descends lips ghosting across hers. Her left hand mirrors mine on my upper back, left hand caressing my crest ridges. Moan escapes from Tabitha caressing my crest ridges as I pull her fully against myself deepening the kiss. I suck and nip on her bottom lip till she opens her mouth allowing my questing tongue to enter tasting the uniqueness of my Siha. I almost lose control of myself when she moans into my mouth, my primal instincts surging to the forefront. Both of us are breathless as the kiss ends. Resting my forehead against hers, I allow my mind to bring my body back under control.

Tabitha's memories

When I turned my back on Thane, I expected him to leave. When he wrapped his arms around me, I felt complete. Tears of joy came to my eyes when he stated he did not know of any letters or emails and had been praying and thinking of me. I had to turn to see his face. When he brushed his lips against mine, my heart leapt into my throat. Of their own volition, my arms wrap around Thane's back pulling him closer, moan of pleasure escaping from my mouth. I feel his body tense at my moan pulling me fully against him teasing my bottom lip till I open my mouth. Heat flushed my face from pleasure as Thane wrapped his longer more flexible tongue around mine. I could not stop the moans rumbling from my chest and throat as he explored my mouth with his tongue before breaking off the kiss resting his forehead against mine.

I lean back in the embrace of his arms looking up into his eyes, flames dancing in the depths. His voice gravelly with emotion, tempered with desire, "I want you. I need to let you know I have cared for you for so long, Siha. Seeing you today…Having you in my arms…I feel complete. I cannot control my emotions around you…I do not understand it…When I saw you, I instantly came out of my battle sleep. I will not force you. I just wanted you to know…no more misunderstandings…miscommunication between us."

My heart soars at his words. Laying my head on his chest wrapping my arms around his back, I listen to his steady strong heart beat, "I love you, Thane," I whisper against his chest.

Thane's acute hearing caught my words wrapping his arms around me, his voice a husky raspy whisper, "I love you, Tabitha."

Remembering this cave had another room, I pull out of his arms, gathering up my Bible, light stick, and weapons placing them in my side pants cargo pockets. When I straighten up, I notice a perplexed expression on Thane's face. Smiling, I state, "I know another room off of this one. I just need to get my stuff back on so I can show you."

Thane smiled, "Life will not be ordinary around you, Siha. I state I want to make love to you and I love you. You want to go spelunking," humor evident in his voice. He picks up my hoodie handing it me as I put my boots on shoving my socks in my hoodie pocket before putting my hoodie on.

I point to a ledge toward the top of the cave wall, "We are going there." I stand slightly in front of the ledge hooking my fingers together. I smile broadly at the skepticism which crosses his features, "Trust me. Place your foot in my hands and I will lift you to the ledge."

Doubt showing in his eyes, he places his right foot in my hands. I activate my biotics lifting him easily to the ledge. I yell up, "I will be up in a moment." I move over to the barrier shield generator turning it off. As soon as the barrier comes down, a wall of water appears above me.

Thane's Memories

From the ledge, I peer down watching Tabitha move over to the barrier shield generator. Bile rises into my throat as she turns the generator off, a wall of water above her head. Her form appears to shimmer, disappear, and she is standing beside me. Smiling, placing her hand on my shoulder, she answers my unspoken question, "Biotics…follow me and I will show you an impressive site."

I follow her through pathways smaller than most vents in buildings. We come out in an open cave beautiful to behold. The natural luminance of the lichen appears as stars, thick layer of moss on the cave floor feels like a carpet. Hearing water, I move to one corner of the cave seeing a slight waterfall and pool of water, steam wafting from the surface.

I sense Tabitha coming up beside me placing her left hand in mine grasping it firmly, "I told you this cave was spectacular." She points back behind her with her right hand, "The exit is down that tunnel." She tugs gently on my hand, "Sit down. The moss feels like a thick carpet." She pulls her hand out of my grasp sitting down taking her boots and hoodie off setting her hoodie on her boots. As she sits at the edge of the pool, she places her feet into the water.

Slowly I sink into a sitting position behind her pulling her back up against my chest. I sigh audibly as I feel her warmth up against my chest. Lifting my right hand, I let strands of Tabitha's hair slide through my fingers, texture as of silk. Gently, I lift her hair exposing her right ear and side of her neck as I lean forward flicking my tongue behind her ear, breathing, "Do you like this, Tabitha?"

She gasps, "Yes,"

"Do you wish for me to continue?"

Breathlessly, she replies, "Please."

Slowly, I flutter my tongue along her neck, kissing and nibbling her ear lobe. As I take her ear lobe gently between my teeth, I feel her body shiver with excitement. Smiling to myself, I continue exploring one side of her neck with my lips and tongue before going to the left side. Whispering huskily next to her left ear, "Siha, I am going to remove your tank top." She lifts her arms above her head as I grasp the bottom of the shirt removing the garment in one motion.

Growl rumbles from my chest as I look upon the talon marks Saren inflicted on Tabitha. Thoughts of retribution flash across my mind as I trace each line along her back following with my tongue fluttering. Soft sighs and moans escape Tabitha's lips as I caress her back with my hands and tongue. Pulling Tabitha firmly against my chest, I move my hands around to her front massaging her breast through the material of the military issue sports bra. Gasps of pleasure echoes off the cave walls as I tenderly massage and knead each breast. The sensation is new to me as female Drells have no breasts.

Slowly my hands move downward across her stomach reaching her pants. As I start to undo her pants, I lean forward breathing next to her ear, "Do you wish for me to continue?" Her reply is a breathless, "Yes, Thane, please."

I feel her muscles reacting to my touch as I move my left hand underneath her underpants brushing her womanhood. Spreading her legs, Tabitha grants me access as one digit enters the folds of her womanhood brushing across her clitoris. At the touch, her body arches back against my chest, moan slipping from her lips. My right hand cups the side of her face leaning it to the side to meet my lips. I let my tongue and lips mirror my actions with my left hand below.

Her moans caught by our passionate kisses, "Thane…what are you doing?" She speaks breathlessly against my lips, "My body. I….I"

"Shhh…" I breathe against her lips, "Feel…Siha, do not think. Let me love you." As her body climaxes, she grabs my left hand holding it against her convulsing center. "I feel tired, Kadar." She speaks with a slight slur. I move slowly from behind her laying her down, "Close your eyes, Siha. Rest. I will be back soon."

As her eyes close, she murmurs, "Where are you going?"

I respond quietly, "Shhh. Rest. I will be back soon."

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